L.A. Calls For Probes of Past Allegations

Los Angeles school officials have unearthed nearly 600 cases of alleged teacher misconduct reported during the past 40 years that they think merit investigation by state regulators.

Officials with the state credentialing commission who have taken a preliminary look at the cases say 60 percent warrant formal review. The other cases either have already been reported or are outside the panel's authority.

The district's review was ordered in February by Superintendent John E. Deasy as a sex-abuse scandal at Miramonte Elementary School triggered questions about the handling of misconduct reports.

Officials said 103 of the allegations had previously been reported, and that the state agency lacked authority to handle 122 others.

That leaves 366 to be formally investigated, a number that is likely to climb.

The commission has the authority to suspend or revoke a teacher's credential for sexual misconduct or other inappropriate behavior. According to the state education code, it has up to four years from the date of the alleged misconduct to take action.

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